kyras_reads's reviews
403 reviews

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

This had no business being as good as it was. I really enjoyed being in this universe (this time) and there was so much to this story. A little bit of mystery, some intrigue, some slow burn and a whole lot of obsessed “don’t touch her/don’t look at her” moments.

These two were pining for each other and almost frothing at the mouth by the time they actually found their way to one another. Good things are worth the wait, though, cause damn. Their entire relationship had me swooning.

And the drama with Mallory and Tate and literally everyone was pretty suspenseful, especially towards the end. I was sweating. 🥵 but these two made it worth the worry.

The cameo from Lyla and Lachlan was nice too, I always love to see characters from the same universe and see what they’re up to after their story ends.

And… NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP?! Claire, you’re an absolute queen for that. 👑

Tropes:

Sports Romance

Reformed Playboy

Mutual Pining

Wounded FMC

Obsessed MMC

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Content Warnings

When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

Well, that was not at all what I hoped or wanted it to be. I really anticipated loving this but I think I was too easily lost in the details and couldn’t follow what was going on most of the time.

I think the writing in this particular book isn’t my style… but there’s a great and unique story there. For a while I was just wondering where the dragons were but then I was mostly wondering what was going on… period.

Overall, I think I’m not a person who’s made for a lot of world building and high fantasy. I just plain lose interest and get lost in the weeds. I’m pretty sure this book is actually really good! Just… not for me.

Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Assassin FMC
He Falls First
Memory Loss
Immersive World Building

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Content Warnings

Leave Me Behind by K.M. Moronova

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

God, I loved this book so much.

How is it that with each and every book of hers I read, they become my favorite? I mean this one was the perfect combination of dark, spicy, sweet and emotional.

Bradshaw is just 🥵 and Nell was a total badass. They were a match made in hell and fit together so perfectly from the very beginning, even when they hated each other.

The military aspect wasn’t something I’ve ever read before and accurate or not, I loved it. I think it made this story so unique and created a world that couldn’t be experienced any other way.

This book had me tearing up… then it had me gasping (no really… I LITERALLY gasped at “3 years” like what?!? Why?!?) and then it had me downright sobbing. The roller coaster of emotions was a long one… but I enjoyed each and every second and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Topes:
Enemies to Lovers
Morally Grey Characters
Military romance
Forced proximity
Blood Play

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Content Warnings

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

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adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

Initial thoughts?

*throws tantrum because I’ve realized the next book release hasn’t even been announced and I may die of worry in the meantime*

Arrrrghhhh. Another cliffhanger?! I’m dying inside a little bit.

With every book in this series, I feel all the emotions. Mostly I love spending time with these characters and experiencing this through their eyes and perspectives but each time one book ends, I miss them all and this world so much.

The banter and the humor in this did not disappoint, as usual. Neither did the spice or the romance between Violet and Xaden. I’m also SO happy we got some other POV’s (sad or not) because these other characters are so amazing. They deserve some spotlight too.

To summarize the ending (past WTF), Xaden did a the best thing he knew to do to keep his girl safe, because of course he did, and gave her the keys to the kingdom and selflessly took himself out of the equation. I hope they find their way back to one another in the next one and I hope the wait doesn’t actually kill me.

Spice: 2.5 🌶️

Content Warnings

Phantom by H.D. Carlton

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dark emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

Sigh……

Well, that was kind of unsatisfying. Loved the bonus scene, of course, but it’s so open ended. I so badly wanted to know what happened to Gigi and Ronaldo and we got NOTHING. I love love and all that and yay for Gigi getting some but… I need answers. 😩

Also, Ronaldo was almost too similar to Zade. Something felt a little off and recycled there… maybe just too many parallels.

And it’s not like there wasn’t anything I liked… I actually enjoyed most of this book! The ending is really what ruined it for me. Before that, I liked the forbidden aspects and even the cheating plot… everything was fine. Fine until my dreams of closure were crushed…

I just needed more. Maybe one day we’ll get more answers about what happened to Gigi and Ronaldo.

Tropes:

Cheating

Stalker

Mob/Mafia

Historical romance

Touch Her and Die

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Content Warnings

Her Soul to Take by Harley Laroux

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dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

Respectfully, what the hell was that? 😅

I don’t know what I expected but it definitely wasn’t that. I think maybe somehow I expected less but also more?

The chemistry felt a little forced for me so early on but grew to like them together. I did enjoy some of the banter, too. And the cat was the biggest bonus of all. We protect the fluff at all costs!

Umm… also… the forked tongue? Dayum. 🥵

Honestly, the plot with the town and families and just paranormal stuff in general may not be my cup of tea but I was surprised how much I actually enjoyed it.

This is the type of book I’ll remember and think of every once in a while but wouldn’t ever want to do a re-read/listen.

Tropes:

Paranormal Romance

Forbidden

Enemies to Lovers

Morally Grey MMC

Touch Her and Die

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Content Warnings

Throttled by Lauren Asher

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

Had a lot of doubts going in to this book but honestly, I had a great time! I liked that it’s something different (not that there’s anything wrong with a solid sports romance or anything). Both characters were pretty unique in their own ways and their relationship was fun to see through.

The family bond shared was one of my favorite parts. Especially the way they welcomed Noah into the family… ugh, sobbing. That kind of love and acceptance was really the cherry on top.

Tropes:

Brothers Rival

Forced Proximity

Enemies to Lovers

Blogger FMC

Formula 1 Driver MMC

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Content Warnings

Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

This was a short and sweet listen and I enjoyed it. It wasn’t without its flaws but it really had so much potential. From their rival to the gaming aspects, the set-up felt fairly unique.

Something just missed the mark a little bit for me. One thing I know for certain is that I would’ve appreciated a little less miscommunication between the MC’s but that was kind of half the premise. She hit us with the classic “he hates me” but really he is actually kinda obsessed.

These two were cute together, though. I was kinda laughing about them ditching their co-workers to go have bang sessions. At the end of the day, this was a fun listen and I always know what to expect from Ali Hazelwood.

Tropes:

Forced Proximity

Rivals to Lovers

Video Game Designers

He Falls First

Workplace Romance

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Content Warnings

Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey

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3.0

All by My Elf by Olivia Dade

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3.0

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kyras_reads's reviews 403 reviews

kyras_reads's reviews
403 reviews